The JASON Project, one of the National Geographic Society’s ongoing teaching endeavors, is an online curriculum aimed at educating teachers in different areas of K-12 schooling. The design below was created to allow course authors a practical, stylish interface to deliver their content. Utilizing popular javascript & css techniques, this design lends itself to many forms of educational content delivery.
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Lo-tide seeks to re-introduce the users to their physical surrounding in new and intriguing ways. The user is presented with a projection of a sandy shore with several dying, flopping fish. As the user enters the space, they soon discover that a camera is tracking their movement and translating their position onto the screen. Upon further interaction, the user discovers that their silhouette represents shallow waters that the dying fish can swim in.
As the user moves around, they are able to trap the fish in their body movements and even pass them off to other people. But move too fast and the fish will be stranded on land once again. Lo-tide seeks to re-introduce the users to their physical surrounding in new and intriguing ways. The user is presented with a projection of a sandy shore with several dying, flopping fish. As the user enters the space, they soon discover that a camera is tracking their movement and translating their position onto the screen. Upon further interaction, the user discovers that their silhouette represents shallow waters that the dying fish can swim in. As the user moves around, they are able to trap the fish in their body movements and even pass them off to other people. But move too fast and the fish will be stranded on land once again.
Below is the Processing code to run the application:
The image above is the blueprint for a MaxMSP patch designed to manipulate sound with a Super Nintendo controller via Arduino. The bottom left hand corner of the patch shows how to connect the SNES controller to the Arduino board (Duemilanove in this case).
Google Code now hosts the nespad code to translate SNES controller data into serial port data. MaxMSP then parses this controller data to find out which buttons are being pushed. The reason that the controller data is collected in one byte and then dissected is so that MaxMSP can recognize when multiple buttons are being pushed. If the serial port only sent the most recent button, MaxMSP would only recognize one button at a time.
Each button on the controller controls a different parameter of music generation and manipulation. The signal generator is operated by the right thumb buttons which fire a “midi on” command. This command is sent to a locally hosted VST audio plugin (in my case, Omnisphere). The left thumb directional pad controls pitch and modulation, much like the mod wheels commonly seen on synthesizers. Left and Right control pitching up and down, while Up and Down control modulation of the signal generator (in Omnisphere’s case, about 24 different parameters). The shoulder buttons control panning.
All in all, it was a hell of a lot of fun to play with. I eventually was able to keep a consistent beat and play some gentle sine waves over top. It was sounding so cool! I must return to this project and make a documentation video.
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Erytophobia is a simple, two-person game that I designed in Arduino. The mechanics of the game are strictly physical, requiring a complicated setup of wires and LEDs “underneath the hood.” The object of the game is to pass a red LED (the ball) around by sending it through the green “gates.” The game ends when someone loses by sends the ball toward a red “gate.” The side with the green gate changes randomly every time the player pushes their button to hit the ball.Erytophobia explores the scenarios of a simple game through a complex analog system. Below the game board, two servo motors control red leds that, when rotated in the correct pattern, can simulate a single led traveling along a dynamic path.
The title of the project, Erytophobia, is the scientific word for “fear of red lights.” This lends itself quite nicely to the main objective of the game.
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Beansprout is an online dashboard that connects a coffee shop to its customers through a localized network. Anyone connected to that network can access dynamic elements such as a music jukebox and drink ordering service directly from their web browser.Beansprout allows coffee shops to extend their presence into the metaverse of online media and provide its customers with a dynamic, interactive environment. This conceptual environment was used to pitch social portals to local shops.
Here are some snaps:
Thanks to Josh Millstead for help on the programming.
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- (1) Infrared LED Stylus | Building an IR Pen tutorial
- (1) Bluetooth Receiver | $9.99 @ radioshack.com
- (1) Nintendo Wii Remote | $39.99 @ radioshack.com
- A Windows PC capable of running .NET framework
- Telescopic Mounting Arm [optional, I used a mic stand]
- Display Surface [computer monitor, projector, tv, etc.]
Software
- A bluetooth stack that is compatible with the Wii remote. BlueSoleil and Widcomm are the best supported.
- Johnny Chung Lee’s Wii Whiteboard Program.
Procedure
- Be sure to view the tutorial on Building an IR Pen. You WILL need an infrared LED source for this to work.
- Make sure you have all of the necessary tools before you begin. Battery powered Wii remotes can drain through batteries, so you don’t want to get held up during setup. Here’s a picture of what you’ll need [sans projector and mount].
- Install your Bluetooth Receiver, bluetooth stack software [BlueSoleil in my case], and the Wii Whiteboard program. You must have the .NET framework installed for this program to run. Once you’ve tested that all of the software works, let’s set up the system.
- Start by connecting the Wii remote to the PC via bluetooth. Open Bluesoleil’s “My Bluetooth Places” icon on the desktop. Click “Search for devices” and turn on the Wii remote (hold buttons “1″ & “2″).
- Once the Wii remote is connected, you can start Lee’s WiimoteWhiteboard Program. When the program starts, the Wiimote should start transmitting data and switch from idle (blinking lights) to listening (solid blue lights). It is now time to setup the Wiimote for calibration.
- It is important to mount the Wiimote where it can be easily aimed at the display surface from an angle to the screen. The reason for this is so that when you are drawing, your arm doesn’t obstruct the infrared light. Click once on each calibration point. When done, the stylus should control the mouse movement when you push the stylus button.
- Now you can experiment with all the wild ideas that are filling your head.
Notes
- The Wiimote must remain stationary for the tracking to be accurate. That doesn’t mean that you can’t experiment with moving the remote. Who knows what you might discover.
- Bluesoleil is a trial program that will end after 20 minutes or so. I’ve noticed you can sometimes get away without running the bluetooth stack. Just plug in the Bluetooth Receiver, let it connect to the Wiimote and then run WiimoteWhiteboard.
- PLAY, EXERIMENT, LEARN!
author – Anthony DiSpezio
published – 11/12/08
Thanks to Johnny Lee Chung for all of his amazing work and invaluable scripts.
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Materials
- (1) High-Output Infrared LED | $1.99 @ radioshack.com
- (1) Momentary Pushbutton Switch | $3.49 [4-pack] @ radioshack.com
- (1) Dry Erase Marker | $2.14 @ buyonlinenow.com
- (1) AA Alkaline Battery | $4.49 [4-pack] @ radioshack.com
- (1) AA Battery Holder/Terminal | $0.99 @ radioshack.com
- Insulated Electrical Wire | $5.99 [55 ft] @ radioshack.com
Tools
- Electrical Tape
- Soldering Iron [w/ solder]
Procedure
- Prepare the dry erase marker. Remove the end cap and spongy marker material inside (try and keep it clean).
- Use the soldering iron to melt a small hole near the front of the pen. Push the momentary switch into the front of the hole to make sure it fits snuggly. This will eliminate the need for glue later.
- Set up the IR LED circuit. Use the diagram below to assemble the LED circuit correctly. Be sure to check the polarity of the LED and the battery. DON’T SOLDER ANYTHING YET.
Once you’ve laid out the setup, test to see if the LED lights up.
REMEMBER: infrared light is not visible with the human eye, so make sure you are looking through a camera or other optical lens device.
- If the setup works, solder each of the connection points firmly. DO NOT connect the battery yet, just leave the terminal wires loose for now. You can use a small amount of electrical tape to re enforce the connections, but remember that it will have to fit inside the dry erase marker, so don’t use too much.
- Now comes the hardest part. Once you have your circuit built, it’s time to insert it into the marker shell. This can be tricky because the wires are fragile and you must take extra care to not break any of your connections.
- Push the circuit into the back of the marker, starting with the LED end. Once the LED is centered in the marker barrel, you can attach the battery and battery holder. Using a battery holder lowers the chance of shorting your circuit.
- Once the momentary switch is centered in the hole you created, use a long utensil [chopstick or skewer] to press the switch up into the hole.
- Finally, install the battery holder into the back end of the marker. Double check your circuit to make sure it works.
- If everything is all set, re-cap the back of the marker and heave a sigh of success.
Notes
- You can use other common battery types as long as the voltage output is roughly 1.5 volts. Be sure to check the specs on your IR LED package to find out the optimum power supply.
- TAKE YOUR TIME: Putting the circuit into the the marker shell can be VERY frustrating. Just take your time and be gentle.
author – Anthony DiSpezio
published – 11/08/08
Thanks to Johnny Lee Chung for the great tutorial on building an IR stylus. I hope to demystify some of the more complicated steps and share my learned experience.